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First let's see how much you know about Visioneer® Solid Surface. Why don't we start out with a short multiple choice question? Visioneer® Solid Surface is: A statement of luxury and class that will set your kitchen completely apart and make all others seem mundane. A product that will bring out and enhance your inner, most secret culinary abilities. The apex of solid surface technology; the culmination of decades of research into the ancient art of countertopery. None of the above buzz words. If you chose "d", you're definitely on the right track. Visioneer® is the simple idea of combining the ease of installation and user friendliness of a laminate countertop, with the renewable surface capabilities of a traditional solid surface countertop. It's truly a "hybrid" of the two types of countertops. Or, as we like to refer to it, Visioneer® is . . . the other countertop. Basic Construction (Ingredients): We start out on the solid surface side of the "hybrid". A special formulation of modified acrylic material is molded into sheets about 3/8" thick. The sheets are then run through a sander, sanding them down to ¼" thickness. This assures the flatness of the sheet and exposes the particulate, which gives the product that deep, rich aggregate look. The sheet is then passed through a buffer to give the surface that soft, silky feel. Okay, now lets switch over to the laminate side of the "hybrid". The ¼" solid surface sheets are laminated (glued) to a ¾" thick particle board substrate. The front edge is applied and a laminate backer sheet is applied to the bottom of the countertop to seal out moisture. Backsplashes are poured separately in solid ½" thicknesses and shipped loose with the top. Basic Concept (Recipe): Most people will agree that the main benefit of "traditional" solid surface is the renewability of the product's surface . . . scratch the surface and it can be buffed out; stain the surface and it can be scoured away; cut the surface and it can be sanded smooth again; even a scorch mark from a hot pan can be sanded away . . . this renewability is truly an envious feature. However, there still is one major drawback to "traditional" solid surface: its high cost. Part of this high cost factor can be attributed to the thickness of the material: ½". And, more of its cost is created by the highly trained and certified technicians required to fabricate and install the product. On the other hand, laminate countertops are installed all across the United States every day by contractors, finish carpenters, and even do-it-yourselfers. Very cost effective. Still, there's one basic drawback with laminate tops . . . the non-renewability of its surface! Scratch the surface - put a plant over it; cut the surface - set a cutting board over it; stain the surface - stain other areas so it looks like part of a pattern; scorch it - throw away all your pots & pans! So here's the idea: "Make a thinner, high quality solid surface material (say a ¼" sheet). Glue it to particle board (like we do plastic laminate) so it can easily be screwed down to the cabinets by a carpenter or do-it-yourselfer (like laminate tops). Corners will be mitred and will be assembled on site (just like laminate tops are) using a common water resistant white glue. Sinks would be mechanically under mounted by a proven system employing metal clips and an adhesive caulk that even a do-it-yourselfer could follow." Quite simply . . . that's Visioneer®. Trade-Offs: Okay, maybe we've perked your interest in 'the other countertop'. But, a renewable solid surface countertop for less than half the cost of traditional solid surface? At this point, you are probably thinking to yourself, "What's the catch? There's got to be a trade off here." You're right. There is: the corner seams will be visible; and, sinks are mechanically undermounted and are not integral. That's it. That's the trade-off. Want a completely seamless countertop? Want a sink that defies you to find the spot where the countertop ends and the sink begins? You should look into traditional solid surface. Seriously. To do otherwise would be a mistake. On the other hand . . .want a countertop that allows you to repair "life's little accidents?" Want a countertop that will "last a lifetime, but doesn't require a lifetime investment to own?" Want a solid surface countertop for about "half the cost of traditional solid surface?" If that's the case, you're looking for . . .     That's right, you're looking for . . . the other countertop.